Someone Else In The Dark

Rain pelted the pavement in angry bursts, soaking his clothes and running in rivulets down his face.

He staggered backward, breath ragged. The air was thick, choking him with guilt, dread, and something else-something he couldn't name yet.

Hesitatingly, he opened the trunk of his car. The lightning struck again illuminating the surroundings for a few seconds as he stared at her body lying lifeless in his car's trunk.

Her body lay curled in the trunk of his car, hair wet and clinging to her pale skin, the necklace he gave her still around her neck-mocking him with its tiny heart-shaped pendant.

He stared until the thunder snapped him back. He had parked off the side of a remote highway, miles from town. Woods stretched around him like a dark ocean. He could bury her. Nobody would find her here.

He reached into the trunk with trembling hands and laid her on the ground. The lightning struck again and with a last look at her lifeless face, grabbing her by her legs, he dragged her into the woods.

It took me a few seconds make sense of my surrounding as I slowly opened my eyes. I sat up, realizing that I was in my room. I had been dreaming and what a dream it was. It felt so real. I couldn't make out their faces in the dream but it felt like I knew the guy.

Soon, my chain of thoughts was broken when my phone started ringing beside me on the bed. It was Harpreet, my best friend.

At seeing her name on my phone screen my eyes quickly darted towards the wall clock. It was almost eight o'clock in the morning. Falling back on the bed, I groaned thinking about the lecture I was going to get today for being late.

The phone rang once again but instead of answering, I got down and ran into the washroom. I'll deal with her later, it is too early for this.

☘︎☘︎☘︎

"So cute!" Harpreet exclaimed at her phone, making me look up from my textbook.

"Puppies?" I guessed.

She shook her head with a weird smile on her face.

Something is surely up.

"Rohit Saraf?" I guessed. Harpreet shook her head again with the same creepy smile still lingering on her face.

"Then what?" I tilted my head.

"Your husband," She teased shoving the phone in my face. An instagram story with a selfie of me and my 'husband', displayed on the phone screen with caption 'I like me better when I'm with you'.

I heaved a sigh before saying, "Yeah, we are cute."

He isn't actually my husband by the way. I'm just 16, its illegal. She just meant he is my boyfriend... or at least that's what they think he is.

Harpreet smiled before moving on to show the picture to Palak. Pondering, I looked around the library. The school's library had been as silent as it always has. Our final exams are coming up so you could see literally every student, trying their best to score good marks.

'Oh wait, I should study too.' I thought.

"Hey, you guys are still going to the dance tonight, right?" Harpreet exclaimed like a small kid.

"I'm going if you guys are going," Palak stated, turning a page of her history book. I don't know why she is always in a such a serious mood. I mean, a smile here and there wouldn't kill her.

"Well, my husband is going so I too have to," I said but there was not even a pinch of excitement.

"Everything okay?" Palak asked but there was no emotion on her face. Typical.

"Yeah,"

"You are still thinking about your moving away." Palak did not ask, more like she stated.

It's been more than two years of us being friends and I'm yet to figure out if Palak is just a very good friend or if she can actually read minds. I mean, their is no better explanation for why she always happens to know what the other person is thinking. She has done this so many times that I don't even get surprised anymore.

"Kind of," I scrunched my nose.

"You're moving away?" I heard a voice full of surprise. "Why?"

I cocked my head up to find Sonal standing near our table with a surprised look on her face.

"Haven't you heard? The whole class knows it." Harpreet said.

"What? Then why don't I?" she looked so shocked.

"How would we know?" Harpreet asserted.

"Right," Sonal tightened her grip on the commercial studies book in her hand as she pondered. I eyed her as she looked around, as if looking for something. I watched her as she walked over to a table next to ours.

"Rohan? Mr. Mehta, is looking for you." she said standing beside the guy. I know him but have never talked. He is in the same class as us but in the science section.

"Why?" he questioned.

"I don't know. Go ask him yourself."

He seemed confused as he stood up and started picking up his stuff. As soon as he left his seat, Sonal pulled his chair to our table and sat between me and Palak.

"Why are you moving? Did you do something?" she looked at me suspiciously.

"What?! No." I frowned.

For some reason, Harpreet found this very amusing. She tried to control her giggle as she said, "Her mom got a job in San Francisco so she's sending her away to her sister's house."

"Isn't your mom a professor?" Sonal questioned.

"Yeah, so?"

"Nothing, just confirming. So, where is your aunts house?"

"Hazelynn."

"What?! That's too far. You'll have to travel at least two hours everyday to get to school. How are you gonna manage?"

"Seriously, Sonal? Are you really this stupid or you just messing with us?" Harpreet narrowed her eyes at Sonal. Sonal made a confused face. "It's clear. She's changing school."

"What?! It's even more difficult than managing travel." I sighed.

Sonal made a face as if she just remembered something. "Wait," she kept her hand on my shoulder. "Please tell me its Hazelynn High School."

I saw the glint in her eyes and I knew what her reaction was gonna be. "Yes."

"Oh, my God!" she exclaimed making me flinch."That's basically the American high school of India. You're so lucky!"

"I would be more lucky if you guys were there with me too."

"It will be fine. We would come to visit you every weekend. And plus it's a beautiful town. You should consider yourself lucky that you are getting a chance to live there." Palak remarked.

"I know but... I'm scared." I confessed.

"I know." Palak stated.

'Of course, she does,' I thought.

"But think of it as a chance for you to move out of your comfort zone."

Sonal raised her hand as in telling to stop. "Wait, why aren't you moving to San Francisco with your mom again?"

"Seriously, are you drunk or something? Here I am stressing out about how I would manage in a school in India, and you think I would move to San Francisco? A whole different country?"

"Point."

I sighed. "I just wish my mom would let me stay in the hostel with you guys, but she said and I quote, 'Why live in a hostel when you can live with someone I trust,"

"It's okay. We too hate that you are leaving, but maybe it's for good. You would just need to make a few friends and you'll be sorted." Palak said.

"Yeah, friends make everything better by just being there." Harpreet smiled.

'I wish making friends was just as easy as that.' I thought.

"Yeah," I sighed.

"Plus, Hazelynn High School is the best school in our country. They don't have uniforms. They take you on trips. They organize carnivals." she counted on her fingers. "And, they have proms, like actual prom. And you can even kiss your partner in the campus without getting detention. Can you believe it? How cool is that. And who knows, maybe you find your Prince Charming," Harpreet cooed making me frown at her.

"You do realize that she has a boyfriend, right?" Palak said making me feel conscience-stricken.

"So what? Who knows, maybe he's not the one? Maybe, it's in her fate to go to Hazelynn. Maybe, her Prince Charming is waiting for her there!... Wow, sounds like a plot of a romantic movie!" Harpreet said, dreamily.

"Is murder involved in this movie?" Palak said.

"Probably," Harpreet shrugged.

"I would definitely watch this movie," Palak nodded her head.

"Me too," Sonal joined. I glanced between her and Harpreet, creasing my eyebrows.

"Why are you guys so filmy?... And no one is dying," I looked at Palak.

"Why? It's interesting." Palak said making me question her sanity. I don't know why the hell she is so obsessed with murders and serial killers. Sometimes I feel like she is a psychopath, which I'm sure she is not. Right?

I know that this happens only in novels and movies, but still, thinking about meeting my Prince Charming made me feel a little bit better. I am sure every girl wishes for it, even though a part of her always knows that its just a fantasy.

'I wish it actually happens with me,' I thought.

"By the way, is your husband still okay with long distance? I know that he said he was but is he still?" Harpreet questioned.

"We are--" I started but was never able to finish.

"You won't believe what just happened!" Karan said taking a seat with us on the table. Have you heard of, Gossip Girl? He is the gossip guy of our school. He kind of has an habit of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Not today, Karan. Get lost." Palak said sternly, as if threatening him.

"Geez, can you go a day without being rude to me?" Karan frowned.

"Can you go a day without interrupting our conversation?" Palak countered.

"Gossip?" he raised his eyebrows. "That's what I live for. Come on--" he tapped the table before looking at me. "--spill the beans,"

"You'll get some, pretty soon," I smiled.

☘ ☘ ☘

Along with Karma, destiny is a bitch too. At least to me. It has always made the most unexpected things happen to me, and definitely not in a good way. Being an introvert, I have always found meeting new people and leaving my comfort zone difficult than others. And, it takes me a lot of time to get familiar with a different environment. Hence, my destiny was again at playing another of its cruel game with me.

I was in the middle of my make up when a message chimed on my phone. Picking it up from the dressing table, I read the message.

*Hope you have rehearsed all the lines, can't wait to see you at the party!! Come soon!!*

Keeping the phone back on the dresser, I chewed my lower lip, looking at me reflection in the mirror. I got up and walked towards my study table before picking up a novel. Opening the book to a particular page, I took out the sheets of paper that I had hidden in between the novel pages. I stared deeply at it, taking in all the words written on it.

I slowly flipped through the sheets of paper as I rehearsed the lines before stopping at one that caught my eye. I smiled at myself as I read the contents of the paper, realizing how stupid it was of me to get involved into something like this.

RULES OF FAKE DATING was written in capital letters on the top of the sheet. The rules had been pretty simple to follow, but when everyone started gossiping about me dating the most popular guy in school, I realized how bizarre idea this was.

But it was too late for this realization, everyone already knew about it and according to rule number 7, I couldn't tell anyone that we were in a fake relationship, not even my best friends.

A chuckle left my lips as I glanced at our signatures at the bottom of the sheet. I remembered how we argued about the rules before finally cracking a deal which would benefit the both of us. Not to mention, some rules were actually taken from the movie To All The Boys I Have Loved Before.

What a great novel and movie.

I leaned a little closer to the mirror as I put on mascara, when I heard a knock on the door. "Come in,"

I turned my head towards the door only to find my mother walk in. She hesitantly smiled at me but I looked away. Taking a sigh, she walked over and stood near me while admiring me do my thing.

I felt annoyed at her for staring as it was making me anxious but I chose to ignore her. I sighed looking down at the pendant in my hand as I struggled to put it on.

"Let me help you," my mom said walking towards me.

"No, I can help myself." I said abruptly making her face fall. She watched me struggle to put on the pendant for a few seconds before coming forward to help me even though I told her not to. But I did not resist this time as she helped me put on the pendant.

"Let me see--" she said turning me around to have a look at my appearance. "--Wow! You look so gorgeous, as always." she adored me, holding my hands.

To be honest, I actually looked pretty good. For a person who has no experience with makeup, I had done a pretty good job.

The V-neck, forest green colour gown hugged my figure perfectly, showing off my curves. The rose gold pendant around my neck and the rose gold bracelet(that I stole from Harpreet) dangling from my wrist, added glory to my look. The dress had a slit on one side, showing off my recently waxed leg.

"Thanks," I looked everywhere but her face.

She eyed me before keeping her hands on my shoulder. "Honey, I'm sorry. I know that you hate changing places but we don't have any other choice."

"I could stay in a hostel," I mumbled quietly.

She smiled. "You could, but it would make me feel anxious.... But with your aunt, I would know that you are safe." I looked down, biting my lip. "Your dad is always busy with his business tours and I don't want to leave this opportunity."

I took a deep sigh. I was tired of hearing the same thing again and again. I knew that now it's too late for anything to change but I still couldn't fully accept it.

She cupped my cheek. "It's difficult for me too, honey, but life is never going to be easy. We'll have to struggle to get what we want." she held my hand, as if promising something. "Please don't think of me as a bad mom. I love you, more than my life. That is why I'm sending you to my sister. I'm sure she is gonna take care of you just like your own mother. I know that you are sad because you'll have to leave your friends behind, but trust me, you will love it there." she reassured.

As I looked up at my mom's face, I felt a feeling of guilt creep into me. "It's okay, mom. I'm sorry, I'm acting like this but don't worry, I'll take care of myself. I'll be fine. And I would never think of you as a bad mom. You are the best mom in the world for me."

"Oh honey, come here." she wrapped her arms around me.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Trisha, would be there to help you settle." she said making me roll my eyes so hard that it hurt.

☘ ☘ ☘

My eyes lit up in excitement upon entering the hall. The theme of this year's dance was enchanted forest. The beautiful decoration along with the soothing music made the environment so pleasant and nice. I, Harpreet and Palak squeezed ourselves through the crowd, while taking in our surroundings.

I have heard somewhere that prom is about making memories, and the nerdy girl breaking up with the most popular guy in school and that too on the night of the dance, is sure going to be something no one's going to forget over the years.

'Well, this is going to be a hell of a night.' I thought

"I need to find, Abhi. I have got to talk to him." I told my friends.

"Yeah, you do." Harpreet asseverated. I smiled at her, indicating that I am fine before disappearing into the crowd.

Just as Abhi had told me, I found him chatting with his friends near the photo booth. My eyes traveled to Shagun, chatting with her friends in a corner. She looked so royal in the pink color, one side off shoulder dress. No wonder Abhi is crazy after her.

Taking a deep breath, I took long strides towards him, showing I was vexed. Just as we had expected, everyone I passed by on my way, had their eyes on me and specially, Shagun. Actually, her eyes were always on me ever since I started dating her ex.

"Hey, babe," Abhi smiled as I reached him. "Everything okay?" he kept his hand on my shoulder, concerned.

"No, everything is not okay," I pulled his hand away, making a serious face.

He looked around as if feeling embarrassed by everyone's stares. "Let's talk somewhere else,"

"No. I am not going anywhere." I said sternly and he narrowed his eyes at me. "Why didn't you come pick me up?" I crossed my arms.

His expressions changed. "I...."

"Its okay--" I raised my hand, telling him to stop. "--let me answer that for you. You did not come, because you don't care anymore."

"No, of course not. I do care."

"Oh, please!" I scoffed. "Enough of your lies... You think I haven't noticed you have been acting weird? And I know the reason why." I glanced at Shagun and she rolled her eyes, looking away.

He sighed, looking around at the crowd gathering around us. "You are right. I thought that I could handle long distance, but I can't, okay?... I'm gonna miss you so much. And just the thought that I will not be able to hold you in my arms is breaking my heart." his eyes were moist and for a moment I thought he was actually telling the truth.

'Wow. What is he doing here, he should be in movies.' I thought.

"But you don't care, right? You think only about yourself. You think just you are hurting, I'm not?" It was my cue for another dialogue but I zoned out seeing the moisture in his eyes.

'Is he really just acting? When did he get so good at it?' I thought.

"Is that what you think?" he said trying to help me come back to reality.

I blinked once before taking a hold of myself. "How dare you?... How dare you say that?... Stop acting as if you actually love me! Cause you don't. You have only been using me for your own selfish reasons. I was always just a rebound to you and nothing else... The truth is that you are still in love with that mean girl, Shagun." I said loud enough for everyone to hear, getting a collective gasp out of everyone. People around us started gossiping, already.

He made a face as if my words hurt him. "Yeah, okay, fine! I am! And don't call her that!" he pointed his finger at me before keeping his hand on his waist in exhaustion.

Honestly for a fake break up, this was pretty intense. But who am I to say, the writer and the director of this whole scene is Abhi. So it's on him. And knowing that he's a little over dramatic, you can understand.

"But I still cared for you." he looked up at me.

I scoffed. "You don't get it, right? I don't want your care!" I choked. "This does not work like this. You don't date someone just because you care for them. Love is important.... and I think that there is no love in this relationship." my eyes were literally getting watery.

"What do you mean?" he said as if afraid of what I was going to say next.

"I mean, thank you, Mr. Abhimanyu Sinha, for taking care of me--" I took a deep sigh, looking away before looking back at him. "--but I think... you would be better off without me... Or, you would be better with, Shagun." a tear rolled down my cheek.

Damn , I'm a good actress.

"You can't be serious," he shook his head.

"Guess what, I am. This is what you wanted, right? I'm just making things easier for you. You deserve, Shagun, not me. You love her. And I'm not saying this because I'm hurt, I mean it. You and I, we never made sense. It's better to be just friends." I took a deep sigh. "Good bye," I turned around and walked away, tears flowing down my cheeks.

☘ ☘ ☘

"Water?" Palak passed me the bottle of water, taking a seat beside me on the couch.

"You're okay?" she questioned, patting my back.

"Never been better," I said slowly. It was partly true, because there was no reason to be sad. I was actually relieved that it was finally over. No more death stares from Shagun. No more being the center of attention. No more lying and pretending. I wasn't sad because of the break up, I was just exhausted. I don't get how people fight for real, my energy has drained even after a fake fight.

"It's okay. He didn't deserve you anyways. And remember what I said about your Prince Charming?" Harpreet smiled causing me to look up at her. She was sitting beside me. "Maybe this is for good,"

"I hope," I smiled back at her.

"Am I interrupting something?" Karan appeared in front of us.

"Nope." I smiled.

"Then, can I have a dance with you?" he placed his hand out in front of Palak, waiting patiently for her to grab it.

There was a moment of silence and I felt so bad for Karan. He must be feeling so embarrassed, but who told him to do such thing in the first place. He knows very well that Palak will never.....

My jaw dropped in surprise or shock -- I am not sure -- when Palak placed her hand gently in his hand.

"When did this happen?" I said, shocked.

"It's not a big deal. We're just going to dance. Stop staring." she said but it did not stop me nor Harpreet from giggling in amusement.

Palak stared at us with a flat face as if we were some sort of insane people on run from the mental asylum before walking away with Karan.

"I need to record this unbelievable moment. I'll be back." Harpeet said before going after them. I giggled before shaking my head at her.

'I'm soooo going to miss them.' I thought.

☘ ☘ ☘

"You sure you are fine, right?" Sonal asked as I filled my plate, near the buffet.

"Yes, just go and enjoy."

"Okay," I stared at her figure as she disappeared into the crowd.

As I was about to look away, my eyes caught Abhi dancing with Shagun in the middle of the crowd.

Abhi's one hand was wrapped around Shagun's waist while the other was holding her hand. And Shagun's free hand was on Abhi's shoulder. They both were laughing and chatting about something, maybe about getting back together. I felt so relieved seeing that our plan worked. Abhi seemed happy and really that is what I wanted.

'Shit, I'm gonna miss this dumbhead too.' I thought.

Even though he made me do so many stupid things but still I'll never forget the time I have spent with him.

"And, what is this for?" I crossed my arms while glancing at the bowl of honey pistachio ice-cream lying in front of me on the table.

"It's my treat, for being the best fake girlfriend." Abhi said, playfully.

"As much as I want to say it wasn't needed, I won't. Cause it definitely was needed." I said before picking up the spoon. "Only I know how I tolerated you for two months!" I put a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth before savoring its taste.

"Come on," he sang making me narrow my eyes at him. "Admit it, you enjoyed hanging out with me. And I am damn sure you are gonna miss it." he leaned in a bit, teasing me.

"You wish." I scoffed but deep inside I knew he was right.

"Oh, pepper, it's okay. There's no need to be ashamed, I understand. As much as I would love to hangout with you, we can't do it." he whispered while glancing around, as if someone was eavesdropping. "In everyone's eyes, we have just broken up and, Shagun, thinks that you still love me. So it would be weird, for them."

I scoffed. "As if. Don't hype yourself. And stop calling me that!" I exclaimed. "I'm not your girlfriend anymore."

"It's a habit, okay. It takes time to lose it." he said before putting a spoonful of his ice cream in his mouth.

In the long list of the most annoying things about Abhi, being a sweet tooth would be on top. Now you must be thinking that it's not that annoying. Yeah I know, and you are right. Its not annoying that he has a sweet tooth, but the fact that even after all that sugar intake he effortlessly manages to stay so fit -more than fit actually- is annoying. I'm so envious.

He literally has tried every ice-cream flavor available in the ice-cream parlors of this town. Like literally. And out of all the ice-cream flavors available in this restaurant, his favorite is the Marzipan Maraschino Cherry Ice Cream (I can't even pronounce it right,) which is what he is having right now.

I rolled my eyes. "Why did you even give it to me in the first place?"

"Then what should have I called you? Who was gonna believe that you are my girlfriend if I didn't even give you a cute nickname?" he licked the ice cream off of the back of the spoon.

"Cute?"

"To me, it is." he shrugged and I sighed, shaking my head.

I eyed the imbecile creature sitting across me, enjoying his ice cream. I didn't even realize when this dumbhead became so close to me. I don't get along with people very often and the last person I expected to get along with, was him. I was rather surprised when I realized he knew my name.

If someone saw the way I treated him, they would think of me as a fool. But I never thought of Abhi as the football star or the chess champion of the school, I always treated him as a friend.

Abhimanyu Sinha is perfect. Well, at least that's what half the population of this school thinks(mostly girls). But I didn't, and I still don't. But still, I feel he is the type of guy every girl would want to be with. He is good looking, smart, funny, popular, understanding. And unlike other popular guys of this school, he treats people nicely. But I won't lie, he does gets a bit over dramatic sometimes, but you would still find yourself wanting to hangout with him.

The table vibrated bringing me back to reality.

"Shoot!" Abhi sighed glancing over at his phone. "I had to take, Shagun, shopping," he chewed his lower lip, pondering. I guess he didn't want to leave. He put a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth before standing up.

He picked his bag and hung it over his right shoulder before picking his bowl of ice cream. "See you later, pep--" he paused as I glared at him. "Fake girlfriend?" he pointed at me, correcting himself. "Bye, fake girlfriend." he waved at me, flashing his irritating smile and I felt like punching him in the face.

"Fake girlfriend?" our body froze upon hearing that voice. Slowly, we turned our heads towards the source of the voice and found Harpreet and Palak staring at us with confused expression on their faces. Well, only on Harpreet's face. Palak's face was as usual, emotionless.

"Pepper would have been better." I heard Abhi murmur under his breath.

Harpreet glanced between me and Abhi. He forced a smile before looking at me. "You take care of them. I'll take my leave, bye."

"Hey," he greeted them awkwardly as he walked past them.

Harpreet looked back at me before saying, "What the hell was that? Fake girlfriend?" they were now standing in front of my table.

"That, is what I wanted to tell you," I smiled nervously.

She crossed her arms. "When?"

"Now,"

"Then go ahead,"

"Okay, please sit down." I gestured to the empty seats. They glanced at each other before complying.

☘ ☘ ☘

"Hey, did you see?" the girl sitting behind me whispered to her seat partner.

"What?" the other girl spoke in a not so interested tone.

"Abimanyu, just complimented, Mehek, for her hair in the hallway." my body halted at the mention of my name.

But before the other girl could say anything, I heard Shagun exclaim. "What?"

I slowly turned my body to find Shagun standing behind me, staring at me like she was trying to figure out something.

I looked away as I felt a bit judged under her stare. You don't want to get on the bad side of Shagun. Why? Well, for starters she is the most popular and the meanest girl of our class. She loves to see people get humiliated and will do anything to get what she wants. She often reminds me of my cousin who is a lot like her, just a little bit extra bitchy. You'll meet her soon.

"Yes. Isn't it hilarious? Your hair looks far more better than her's." the girl told Shagun, trying to get on her good side.

I could feel them scrutinizing my hair from behind.

"Maths homework notebook?" I heard someone say and when I looked up, I caught an angry Shagun throwing daggers at me with her eyes.

'Shit, I guess I'm in trouble.' I thought.

I handed her my Maths homework notebook which she was incharge of collecting and looked away quickly, feeling intimated by her.

"It's not my fault," I mumbled to myself when Shagun moved away from my seat.

I thought about Abhimanyu. I wondered about why the hell did he have to compliment me. There was nothing special about my hair today. And this wasn't me criticising myself, there literally wasn't anything special. My black hair was as usual tied up in a plait, just like every other girl in this school (except for the ones with short hair).

Shaking the thought out of my head, I decided to go back to study. I opened my maths textbook and went to the page that our maths teacher had asked us to. Suddenly, the whole class fell silent making me look up in confusion.

"May I come in, sir?" I found Abhimanyu standing at the door. Abhimanyu Sinha is a class senior than us. And there are only very few occasions when he visits our class. I looked around as the whole class gazed at Abhimanyu.

'They treat him like he is a king of somewhere. Morons!' I thought.

Rolling my eyes at the whole class, I grabbed my water bottle from the table. The water was still in my mouth making my face look like a monkey's when the teacher, Mr. Sharma and Abhimanyu, both looked at me.

"Mehek, principal sir, wants to see you." Mr. Sharma said to me. I gulped the water down my throat quickly.

"Me! Why?" I asked the teacher.

"Don't know. But just because the principal wants to see you doesn't always mean it's for a bad reason." Abhi said and I felt a bit relieved.

Abhi followed me as we walked down the hallway. I don't know why he was walking behind me when he could simply just walk with me. We were walking down a quiet and empty hallway when Abhi spoke. "Your laces,"

"Huh?" I asked, clueless. He motioned towards my shoes. "Oh," I murmured, looking down at the same.

I bent down to tie my lace and when I stood up I realized Abhi was gone. I looked around in confusion before calling out his name, but he was nowhere to be found.

'Where did he go?' I thought.

As I was about to turn, I felt a hand on my wrist, pulling me inside an empty and dark classroom. Everything happened so fast that I didn't even get to react. I felt relieved when I realized that it was none other than Abhimanyu himself.

"What the hell, Abhimanyu?"

He closed the door. "Relax, I just need to talk to you."

"Then, do it like us humans. You scared me," I said.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make it a little dramatic." he smiled.

'Is he crazy?' I thought.

"Whatever." I shook my head. "Just be quick, before principal sir starts announcing my name on the PA." I turned around, crossing my arms.

"He won't," I smiled cheekily.

"And how do you know?" I turned around to face him. "Wait, did you lie?"

"Congrats on your first light bulb moment," he said sarcastically.

I stared at him with gritted teeth. I swear if he wasn't so good looking, I would have punched him by now. "Whatever. Tell me, what is so important that you couldn't even wait till lunchtime?"

"Umm... I, heard that you are moving away," he crossed his arms.

"Yes?"

"When?"

"Obviously, at the end of the semester."

"It means you are here for another 3 months, right?"

"Yeah. What do you want?," I said, trying to understand what he was trying to say.

"So, would you like to do a favor on someone before you leave? I mean, would you like to become someone's cupid?" he hesitated.

"Can you please get to the point?" I said, feeling a bit irritated.

"Okay, here's the thing, I'm sure you must have heard about mine and, Shagun's, break up?"

"Yeah, I heard she left you because you are too over dramatic." I said trying hard not to smile.

It was a lie. I hadn't heard about his break up. I was just trying to mess with him. His face went flat. "Moving on," he raised his eyebrows and I found myself smiling at the way he dodged my remark.

"I like, Shagun, and she likes me too, but she just needs, a little push, you know,"

"Okay, but why are you telling this to me?"

"I am asking you to be my fake girlfriend,"

"What?!" I yelled.

"Lower your voice, we'll get caught!" he whisper yelled at me.

"Are you crazy? Do you even know what, Shagun, will do to me? She was throwing daggers at me with her eyes today, just because you complimented me! As if that's my fault." I explained.

"Exactly! See, she reacted like that because she still likes me! A few times she sees us hanging out together and, boom, she's gonna come back to me," He said, like he was some kind of genius and had come up with a very original idea.

"Were you always like this or did you just fell down the bed today?" I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I know I sound crazy but please help me. I can't ask anyone else, they all have a crush on me and I don't wanna hurt anyone's feelings. But you are different, and plus you are moving away so we can make that a reason for our break up." he pushed.

I stared at him for a moment. The idea of dating the most popular guy in school did seem exciting even if it was just for show. And also I couldn't help but notice that he called me different.

"And what makes you think that I'm going to help you?" I said.

"Because..... you are a very helpful person," I blinked. Seriously, that was the lamest reason I have ever heard.

"I'm leaving," I said while starting to walk away.

"Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait!" he held me by my upper arm. When I turned my head, I realized how close we were but this did not seem to bother him as he kept staring at me with those pleading eyes. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

For some reason, I eyed his face. "What can you do for me?"

"Anything... valid." he whispered. I stared at him, half expecting for wind to blow suddenly out of nowhere, making my hair dance in slow motion.

"You are that desperate?" I questioned.

"I love her,"

"You are a fool in love, aren't you?" I slowly freed myself from his grip and backed away. "Meet me at the Salt & Pepper Café. 4 o'clock."

☘ ☘ ☘

"What did you make him do?" Harpreet inquired.

"Nothing. I had my own motive."

"What?" I stared at her hesitantly.

☘ ☘ ☘